A modem is the most essential piece of network hardware that permits the computer to send and receive data via a telephone line or cable connection. To be in an easy word, a modem is a device that plays a vital role in the connection of a computer to the internet.
The terms modulator and demodulator, which are two distinct words, are combined to make the word modem. Additionally, a modem is a device that modulates and demodulates signals to encode and retrieve information, as the name suggests. Modulation is a method for disseminating important information across great distances by adding it to a carrier wave.
What are the Types of Modem?
Well, there are numerous types of modems used to access the internet. They are mentioned below. So, let’s have a look at them!
1. Telephone Modem:
In this, a computer is connected via telephone lines to access the network of other computers. In comparison to the other modems, telephone modems are cheaper. This is because in this modem you don’t need to pay the installation cost and its monthly fee is low as well. Therefore, it can be used in any house where a telephone connection is provided.
2. Digital Subscriber Line:
It plays a vital role to provide a high-speed internet connection through a telephone line. Additionally, when we compare it with a telephone modem, it is expensive. The connection process of a digital subscriber line (DSL) is similar to the telephone modems. But the difference is that DSL allows using voice communication and internet service both simultaneously whereas telephone modem does not.
3. Cable Modem:
It is a type of device that allows accessing the high-speed internet through the cable TV (CATV) network. The majority of cable modems on the market today are external devices that link to the PC using a standard 10 BASE-T Ethernet card and twisted-pair wire.
4. Satellite Modem:
It is a device that uses satellite dishes to connect to the internet. It turns input bits into output radio waves before doing the opposite operation. Although it costs more than standard modems, it provides a more reliable internet network.
What is the Importance of a Modem?
In the earlier days back, when landline phones were used for long-distance communication, modems were helpful for connecting to the Internet through telephone lines. In fact, most users would not have been able to access the Internet without modems.
Even today, telephone technology is partially analog, relying on constantly fluctuating electrical impulses to transfer data, in contrast to computer technology, which is totally digital and relies on numbers to transmit and receive data.
We currently use a lot of fully digital computer technology as well as some partially analog telephone lines (e.g., laptops, desktops, etc.). How can you encourage them to interact and exchange knowledge?
Simple! Just use a modem to connect.
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